BIOHAB: Biological control of harmful algal blooms in European coastal waters: Role of eutrophication

The research conducted in BIOHAB, a project of the EU 5th framework programme, aimed to clarify how the biological control of harmful algal bloom (HAB)-species is affected by the anthropogenic loading of nutrients to European marine waters. A basic scientific knowledge of the dynamics of HABs and their impact on the ecosystem provides policy agencies (regional, national and EU) with detailed description of the quality of the coastal marine environments. Also, predictive models developed within the project, can be used to support risk management of HABs in the North Sea and Baltic Seas, at the Norwegian coast and in the Mediterranean. This sort of management balances the various interests of society, environment and economy upon the ecosystems.